Cowboys' defense can count on Carr to press the issue

By Tom Orsborn :
August 2, 2012
: Updated: August 2, 2012 11:54pm

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (left) looks for room around Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr on a play during the first day of their 2012 training camp Monday July 30, 2012 in Oxnard, CA.

OXNARD, Calif. — Brandon Carr didn't make any big purchases after receiving a five-year, $50.1 million free-agent contract from the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.

“I'm a low-key person,” he said. “I like to save my money.”

Carr's conservative nature off the field stands in sharp contrast to the risks he takes on it. As a cornerback who excels at playing press coverage, Carr begins every play knowing that if he misses his jam at the line of scrimmage and is unable to redirect the receiver, he could get beat deep for a big gain or even a touchdown.

“It starts with you having some confidence in yourself because there are going to be times when you get beat and give up plays,” Carr said in explaining what makes a good press corner.

“At the same time, you have got to come back and battle again. You have to have confidence you are going to make more plays than you give up. You just have to go out there and play your game and be physical with receivers.”

With his long arms, strong hands, quick feet and 6-foot, 210-pound frame, Carr's best asset is his physicality. His ability to slow receivers at the line of scrimmage will make it easier for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to play the aggressive, blitzing style he favors.

The corner Carr replaces, 33-year-old Terence Newman, was a major liability down the stretch last season and is now with Cincinnati. Having lost a step or two, Newman often played far off his man, allowing quarterbacks to move the chains by completing passes underneath.

That won't be the case with the 26-year-old Carr, who spent his first four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and was the centerpiece of Dallas' haul in free agency.

“If you can have corners who can press and be successful doing that and not commit penalties, not give up first downs, absolutely (you can blitz more),” Ryan said. “Everybody in the league strives to have that. You can play more man coverage, which obviously (leads to more blitzes).

“If you don't have the pressure corner, the guy who can get up there and press, then it takes half your playbook away.”

While it's true that receivers have a difficult time breaking free from Carr once he gets his hands on them, the former point guard at Carman-Ainsworth High School in Flint, Mich., said the secret to being a good press corner can be found in another area of the body.

“The feet are more important than the hands,” he said. “It's like basketball. You have got to be in front of the receiver and use your feet first and then follow with your handwork. People think press coverage is all about being physical up top and trying to clamp down on the receiver, but you have to use your feet first.”

The NFC East is loaded with explosive receivers, and Carr said he's eager to see how he stacks up against the likes of the Giants' Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz and the Eagles' DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Fortunately for Carr, he and first-round corner Morris Claiborne should be well prepared for the challenge after daily battles with Dez Bryant and Miles Austin.

“Oh, man, it helps a lot,” Carr said. “I feel like we are going against some of the top receivers in the league right now. They're young, talented, explosive, physical. Each play is a battle.”

But Carr said he wouldn't have it any other way.

“Hey, I mean that's the hardest thing to do — press a receiver down in, down out, especially with the way the league is now with quarterbacks throwing for umpteen, thousand, million yards,” Carr said. “It's hard out there on that island. But if you can master that craft, I guess you are one of the best in the game.”